UCLA starting pitcher Adam Plutko throws to a TCU batter in the first inning of an NCAA super-regional game Friday.

UCLA catcher Tyler Heineman, left, and pitcher David Berg celebrate their team's 6-2 win against the TCU after an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game in Los Angeles, Friday, June 8, 2012. UCLA won 6-2.

TCU's Derek Odell dives for a single hit by UCLA's Pat Valaika in the eighth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game in Los Angeles, Friday, June 8, 2012.

TCU's Kevin Cron tosses his bat after he struck out in the eighth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Friday, June 8, 2012.

UCLA catcher Tyler Heineman, left, approaches starting pitcher Adam Plutko in the third inning of an NCAA super-regional game against TCU.

TCU's Derek Odell, right, reacts as teammate Kyle Von Tungeln, center, is greeted by teammates after Tungeln hit a home run against the UCLA in the third inning.

UCLA's Jeff Gelalich watches a home run by TCU's Kyle Von Tungeln clear the fence in the third inning.

UCLA's Cody Keefer watches a home run by TCU's Josh Elander clear the fence in the first inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game in Los Angeles, Friday, June 8, 2012.

UCLA's Jeff Gelalich, center, reacts after he scored on a hit by Cody Regis in the sixth inning against TCU on Friday.

TCU starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan throws to a UCLA batter in the first inning Friday in a super-regional game at UCLA.

UCLA catcher Tyler Heineman and pitcher David Berg hug as they celebrate the Bruins' 6-2 victory against TCU in an NCAA super-regional game Friday at UCLA.

LOS ANGELES – It took UCLA a measurable dose of patience and a five-run sixth inning Friday to push aside TCU in the first game of the best-of-3 NCAA super-regional.

The Bruins overcame two solo home runs and a dominant performance by a freshman pitcher to beat the Horned Frogs, 6-2, in front of 2,042 at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

“I think our experience showed as the game went on,” UCLA coach John Savage said.

The Bruins trailed, 2-1, before their experience kicked in.

UCLA’s Adam Plutko was not as sharp as he was in last week’s regional when he scattered two hits for a shutout in the Bruins’ first game, but the sophomore right-hander got the same result.

Plutko (11-3) said he wasn’t rattled by the two home runs, and by the third inning he had settled down. He limited the Horned Frogs to two runs on seven hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings.

“They were solo homers and when you look up, it’s only 2-0,” Plutko said, “… and then it’s on to the next pitch.”

Plutko entered the game having thrown 16 2/3 scoreless innings in his two postseason starts, but TCU quickly put a stop to his perfect mark with Josh Elander’s blast over the light standard in left field that gave TCU a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins scored a run off TCU freshman Brandon Finnegan in the second. Trevor Brown led off with a single, moved to third on Shane Zeile’s single to right and scored on Kevin Kramer’s single to right.

The Horned Frogs responded with another home run, this one by Kyle Von Tungeln to start the second inning. UCLA’s offense struggled as Finnegan retired 10 in a row, striking out two.

The Bruins chased Finnegan (4-5) in the sixth when he gave up a walk and hit a batter to put two on. Right-hander Justin Scharf came in and hit the next batter with his first pitch to load the bases, while his second pitch to Brown zipped past his head for an RBI single.

UCLA took a 3-2 lead when Cody Keefer scored on a groundout to first, and the Bruins added three more runs on Cody Regis’ base-clearing double for a 6-2 lead.

“I didn’t panic (about the lack of offense) because Adam was pitching so well,” Savage said. “It was only 2-1, and Adam put up zeros in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

“We know with our offense that was a typical game. There wasn’t any panic; we stayed with the process.”

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